Dr. Jim Vaszauskas Center for the Performing Arts
In December 2021, the Center for the Performing Arts was renamed after former superintendent Dr. Jim Vaszauskas whose leadership transformed The Center into a community hub featuring Grammy-winning performances and community events.
The 141,500 square feet dual-purpose facility is ideal for large events including graduations, concerts and meetings. The venue, intended to serve Mansfield ISD students, staff and surrounding communities, features tons of parking space, banquet/meeting space and a premier stage and auditorium complete with ample seating.
Our Namesake
Dr. Jim Vaszauskas served 39 years in education – more than 10 of them in Mansfield ISD. Early in his career, Dr. V, as he’s known to those in the district, served students as an English teacher, coach and principal. He joined Mansfield ISD in 2009 as Associate Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction. In 2013, the MISD School Board named him interim superintendent and later promoted him to superintendent of schools.
With Dr. V’s leadership, Mansfield ISD received an “A” from the Texas Education Agency and adopted tangible ways to track student progress through the Vision 2020 strategic plan. In 2017, Dr. V had the honor of being named Region 11 Superintendent of the Year.
After the Mansfield ISD Center for the Performing Arts was built in 2012, Dr. V had a vision to turn it into a community hub featuring award-winning artists and community wide events. That dream became a reality with concerts featuring actress and Broadway star Kristin Chenoweth and other big names in entertainment. Those concerts included Mansfield ISD fine arts students. Thousands of community members continue to visit The Center each year for district events such as Back to School Bash and Toys for Tots.
A dedication ceremony was held in honor of Dr. V on December 2, 2021 for the naming of the MISD Center for the Performing Arts. The district’s former superintendent was unanimously approved as the venue's namesake by the Mansfield ISD School Board during a May regular school board meeting.